Thomas Ted Barrett murder trial hears closing arguments

Lawyers madeclosing arguments Friday in the Sydneymurder trial ofThomas Ted Barrett, whose fate is now in the hands of a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge.

Barrett, 40,is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Brett Elizabeth MacKinnon, 21.MacKinnondisappeared in 2006 and herremains were found two years later in a wooded area ofGlaceBay.

The trial has heard from various witnesses, including a man who helped dispose of a carpet he believed contained MacKinnon's body, and a woman who said Barrett told her he had dragged the body of a girl he had killed around the house.

The court has also heard the videotaped statement from a witness who is now dead. Sheryl Flynn told police in 2012 that Barrett confessed he had strangled MacKinnon.

In his closing submissions Friday,Barrett's defence lawyer, Brian Bailey, argued there's not enough evidence to convict his client.Bailey said if Barrett is to be found guilty of something, it should be manslaughter.

Court also heard thatno DNA was retrieved from a plastic bag found underneath MacKinnon's skull when her remains were discovered by a hunter.

Crown attorney Diane MacGrathsaid the lack of DNAor fingerprints in the caseis no surprise given the length of time MacKinnon's body was exposed to the elements, but she argued testimony from the witnesses iscredible.

Barrett is being tried byjudge alone.

Justice RobinGogan will hand down her verdict April4.

CBC reporter Yvonne LeBlanc-Smithlive tweetedfrom court today.